Le Clos Des Benedictins

The chalet had everything we needed and was clean and comfortable. We spent eight days at Les Terrasses de Saumur and loved how peaceful it felt, even though the city center is only a five-minute drive away. The atmosphere was hard to describe, just really serene. We especially enjoyed the outdoor sauna, pool, and jacuzzi. Breakfast was good, dinner was amazing, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and always available. It was a memorable, relaxing getaway.

The views over the valley and chateau are stunning, and both the room and the pool area were very nice. The restaurant is what brought the rating down. The food was okay, nothing more, and the place seemed badly understaffed. Some servers’ manner made it feel more like a canteen. I felt the owners or management had an attitude problem and were shifting their shortcomings onto younger staff, who were generally good.

The restaurant was the best part, with great food. I’d give the food four stars and the hotel two. The room was comfortable, but expensive, with lots of extras. The view of Saumur and the castle is great, though the hotel sits outside town in a residential area. The modern style didn’t really have a clear concept, and the pool is too small for the hotel, so you can’t swim. It’s also in the middle of the terrace, and towels cost extra. The spa, with one sauna and one hammam, costs 15 euros, or normally 30 per person, they said because of covid. The girls working there did their jobs well and worked hard, but seemed to be under a lot of pressure from management. I wasn’t happy with the stay, especially since they charged my card two days before arrival even though my contract said payment at the hotel. You could choose another hotel, then come here for a drink and a meal.

The views of Saumur were brilliant, but the hotel is a long way out and up a steep hill, so getting into town for dinner without transport isn’t practical. Our room had a lovely, unusual style, and the reception staff did too. Dinner tasted good, though it seemed expensive for what it was. We left our bikes outside, even though there seemed to be many bikes inside, so perhaps we misunderstood because of our limited French. One thing we didn’t realize: breakfast isn’t included with the room. On our week-long cycling trip, this was the only place where it wasn’t.